An all-day, six-man break including HTC-Columbia's uber-leadout-man Mark Renshaw almost made it but was swallowed by the rampaging yellow jersey group with 5 km to go.

Despite a characteristic 500m lone attempt by Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank), it was left to the GC leader Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions) to battle it out with second-place Mick Rogers (HTC-Columbia). 20 year old Peter Sagan jumped them both on the line but Rogers' 2nd place on the stage secured him the yellow jersey with exactly the same time but entitled to the top spot due to the count-back on stage places.

The riders hardly had a chance to leave Visalia on the way to complete 122 hilly miles to Bakersfield when Lance Armstrong and others where involved in a tumble on a gravel section and although both he and Saxo bank's Stuart O'Grady initially chased, soon they were back in the cars, Armstrong with blood pouring from a cut under his left eye, a bloodied elbow and torn jersey.

However, while the race was still on he was tweeting from the hospital, "I'm alive. Fell face first and banged elbow pretty good. Xrays on the elbow were neg. Extremely disappointed not to be able 2 continue."

Like driving, cycling requires total concentration and racing even more so.Read Hornie's account of the action and with the best will in the world this accident would not be avoided, that said after welcoming the worm back to the pro peleton recent controversy must have been in Lance's mind as he started the day's stage!
Each of the principal people named by the worm have in some way over the years contributed to any success the worm enjoyed!
That he actively engaged in disceiving and cheating the public, his sponsors,colleagues and family demonstrates his values and the sooner the French authorities detain him in a location of their choice the sooner Cycling can get back to entertaining the public.
UCI's blood passport will reduce the likelihood of another systematic lying worm being imposed on our sport!

Note this comment was loaded last night and as i live in an area where 20b/sec is the norm it can take a while to get thru!
Richie porte fought thru well today and he can be proud as all Aussies are proud of his efforts, showed the real "digger spirit!"
"BRAVO RICHIE"